On Saturday, February 28, the Azle High School Art Department competed at the Regional Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE). Out of a field of 1,313 entries, Azle students secured 65 first-place medals and earned five of the prestigious State-advancing spots.
A Rigorous Standard of Excellence
The VASE competition is unique in its difficulty: students are judged not only on their technical skill but also on their ability to articulate their vision. A student's final score is a 50/50 split between the quality of the artwork and a formal interview with a juror.
Azle’s performance was standout, with the vast majority of the 70 participating Hornets receiving top honors. While many earned medals, only the top 7% of the entire contest advanced to the State level.
The State Qualifiers
The following Azle High School artists received "Area Advancing" medals and will represent the district at the State VASE Contest:
Division 1: Ainslie Bliss
Division 2: Avery Thompson
Division 3: Shelby Ramirez (Two works qualified)
Division 3: Greenlee Gann (Two-time State Qualifier)
The Road to San Marcos
These students will now prepare for the State VASE event held in San Marcos. There, their work will be juried once more against the best student artists from across Texas, with the chance to earn the coveted "Gold Seal" award.
About VASE
The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) hosts VASE to recognize exemplary student achievement in the visual arts. It provides a standard of excellence that encourages students to develop their artistic skills to a collegiate and professional level.